Sure Stop....y or n ?

[shd1970]

I need to replace my stop cock as i'm fitting a new kitchen and was considering the Sure Stop.

I believe initially, Sure Stop themselves suggested keeping a traditional stop cock also (makes a but of a mockery of the word *Sure* in my mind) but now, i believe they are saying that they can be the only method of shutting off the water

So what's the general feeling.....
Are they reliable or still a bit of a fad and thus, best to be safe and stay traditional ?

 

[ReganAndCarter]

It is a useful invention.

If you're elderly with arthritic hands and a stop tap in an awkward place, go for it. If none of these apply, save your money and fit a standard stop tap.

 

[muggles]

They work well - I've fitted several.

 

[someonelse]

We fitted one on the pipe leading to the outside tap after it froze/cracked one winter, so we could isolate the tap in winter.

Had a leak from the SureStop a year later.

It's a useful invention but I wouldn't rely soley on it. Fit a conventional stop cock, and then add the SureStop in the line behind that as an easier-to-access/use means to cutt off the supply.

Tht way, any issue, you can still fall back on the stopcock.

 

[JohnD]

If you're elderly with arthritic hands

then a lever valve is fairly easy to grip and use. You may be able to hook several fingers round it, or push it with your palm.

I don't know if you can get them with extra-big levers, as often found on gas valves.

I've also used the T-handle ones, but they are not so easy to operate with your fingers

As an interim step you can get a stopcock key that fits over a T-handle, and hang it within easy reach (there is also a much bigger version, useful if you have a stopcock in a pit)